John Crittenden Duval in Austin, Texas
historical marker
John Crittenden Duval was a notable figure in early Texas history. Born in Kentucky in 1816, he arrived in Texas in 1835 to participate in the fight for independence. Duval was a survivor of the Goliad Massacre in 1836, an event where his brother, Burr H. Duval, was killed. After the revolution, he returned to Texas as a land surveyor. In 1845, he served as a Texas Ranger, working alongside William 'Bigfoot' Wallace. Duval is often called the first Texas man of letters. He authored "Early Times in Texas," which detailed his escape from Goliad, and "The Adventures of Bigfoot Wallace." In Austin, Travis County, a historical marker commemorates John Crittenden Duval. The State of Texas erected this marker in 1936, recognizing his enduring contributions as a soldier, ranger, and pioneering writer of Texas literature.